FROM PAGE 12

relations, and a sharp increase in medical education opportunities in India.

A widespread negative campaign in India discouraged students from pursuing medical education in Bangladesh, contributing significantly to the decline. A similar campaign in Nepal also led to a fall in the number of Nepali students here, he noted.

Health ministry data show that Indian students accounted for between 68 percent and 72 percent of all foreign students enrolled in Bangladesh’s medical colleges from the 2021-22 academic session to 2023-24. Their share fell to 44 percent in the 2024-25 session.

In the 2021-22 session, 1,432 of the 1,992 foreign students were Indian. In the last academic session, 507 of the 1,156 foreign students were from India, show the data.

The association ran promotional campaigns in Nepal, drawing around 200 students from there in this session, but the number of Indian students remained low compared to previous years, he added.

A Times of India report published in October 2025 said India saw a rise in the number of medical colleges from 387 in 2014 to 819 in 2025. Seats for undergraduate courses rose to 129,000 from 51,000 and those for postgraduate courses to 78,000 from 31,000 during the period, the report said.

In July 2022, India’s National Medical Commission directed that fees for 50 percent of seats in private medical colleges and “deemed universities” (institutions granted university status by the government) be aligned with those of public medical colleges, substantially lowering costs for many students, according to Indian media reports.

The drop in foreign student numbers is also linked to the pending global recognition of Bangladesh Medical Education Accreditation Council (BMEAC), which accredits both public and private medical colleges, said Prof Nazmul Hossain, director general of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME).

Many prospective foreign students may hesitate to pursue medical studies in Bangladesh as the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) has yet to recognise BMEAC, he told this correspondent recently.

Besides, the overall situation in the country following the 2024 political changeover may have discouraged some foreign students from choosing Bangladesh as a study destination.

REVIVAL PLAN

Prof Nazmul said that bilateral relations with India have improved since this government took office, raising hopes for an increase in the enrolment of Indian students.

He said the government has already taken several steps to attract more foreign students. The foreign and home ministries have already been asked to simplify visa procedures for foreign students.

Following instructions from the health minister, the authorities are also planning to lower the minimum academic requirements for foreign students seeking admission to medical colleges here, he added.

Prof Humayun Kabir Talukder, registrar of BMEAC, said the council has been implementing WFME’s recommendations and has so far received positive feedback.

“We hope to receive WFME recognition soon. Once we obtain it, it will help attract more foreign students.”

He said the council has accredited four public medical colleges and one private college so far. Another 13, mostly private colleges, are in the process of obtaining BMEAC accreditation.

Pointing to the similarities in medical curricula in Bangladesh and India, Prof Moazzem said, “India can still remain a major source of foreign students for us.”

He further said the association plans to launch promotional campaigns in India next month and explore new markets such as Indonesia and South Africa.

Moazzem pointed out that in the past, a large number of foreign students from Bangladeshi expatriate families in the Middle East used to enrol in Bangladeshi medical colleges but their numbers have declined in recent times.

“We have requested the government to arrange admission tests in those countries so that more students can come from there,” he added.